Praying with RefugeesConfronted by the conflict, slaughter, and seemingly endless anguish in so many other places in our world, we wonder how God can allow such things to happen. The Old Testament describes how the people of Israel suffered war, violence, famine, persecution, and exile, and how they tried to find the presence of the loving God of the covenant in all those harsh realities.

This section of the website offers readers an opportunity to reflect and pray on the good and evil which happens. As we meet and work with refugees who have confronted evil and suffering, it is important to remind them and ourselves as well to keep in touch with God, the source of all good and love. This is the only way to withstand evil.

Praying with Refugees: education enables self-sufficiency02 June 2015
(Washington, D.C.) June 2, 2015 — "Education is a key in combating the evil of hatred, violence and war," says JRS International Director Fr Peter Balleis S.J. “It is important to get (displaced and refugee) children into school. It is important to keep learning, it is a form of healing in the midst of conflict."
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Praying with refugees in South Africa: why Catholics should be concerned about xenophobia04 May 2015
Johannesburg, 4 May 2015 – It is now three months since a wave of looting of migrant-run shops began in Snake Park, in the urban Soweto area of Johannesburg, and other parts of the country. The violence culminated two weeks ago in Durban leaving five people dead, many more injured and an estimated 2,500 people displaced and reliant on churches, mosques and the city for survival.
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Praying with Refugees in North Kivu: singing together to the Lord01 September 2014
Masisi, 1 September 2014 – How can we challenge ourselves to pray in a way that gives room to the refugees and displaced persons in our communities? There is a call for change to welcome the displaced in our world. What are my personal commitments towards that? How can I, as a member of a host community, express solidarity for and show hospitality to others?
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Praying with Refugees: accompanying people in detention01 April 2014
Washington DC, 1 April 2014 – In the United States and many other countries, Jesuit Refugee Service actively works to assist refugees and asylum seekers in detention. The use of detention to discourage, control and punish asylum seekers has increased worldwide during the past decade. Each year in the US, some 15,000 people seeking asylum are held in detention.
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Praying with Refugees in Southern Africa: redefining our mission in life01 March 2014
Johannesburg, 1 March 2014 – One morning I received a visitor to our office, a young woman refugee whom I shall call Ayan*.
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Praying with refugees in South Sudan: a call for peace01 February 2014
Tombura-Yambio, 1 February 2014 — The people of South Sudan have experienced far more than their share of suffering. Historians tell us that more than 4.5 million people died in our wars of independence, with similar numbers unaccounted for in past decades. Our nation needs to embrace the past to avoid repeating the mistakes that caused death, suffering and humiliation on a massive scale. I, therefore, appeal strongly for peace in South Sudan, an appeal which comes from deep within me.
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Praying with Refugees in Nairobi: encouraging reconciliation through spiritual seminars01 January 2014
Nairobi, 1 January 2014 – Refugees pass through painful experiences that leave them emotionally wounded while in a foreign country. They carry the burden of those who have caused or still cause them this pain. Sometimes they become disconnected from themselves, others and even from God. Consequently, some develop complications of different illnesses and even nightmares.
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